Cinch bag

ABSTRACT

A bag ( 100 ) for carrying objects may include two or more compartments ( 105, 110 ). Access to at least one of the compartments ( 105 ) may be selectively closed using a drawstring type closure mechanism. The drawstring type closure mechanism ( 112 ) may take the form of one or more flexible members ( 115, 120 ). Access to another of the compartments ( 110 ) may be selectively allowed and prevented using a securing mechanism, such as a zipper ( 140 ) or the like. At least one compartment ( 105, 110 ) may be sized to contain a laptop computer or the like. At least one compartment ( 105, 110 ) may be defined at least in part using a relatively rigid, rigid, shape retaining, or a shock absorbing material. The drawstring type closure mechanism ( 112 ) may be configured to allow a user to utilize the drawstring type closure mechanism ( 112 ) to carry the bag ( 100 ).

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of, under 35 U.S.C. §119(e), of U.S.Provisional Application No. 61/515,718, entitled “Cinch Bag” and filedon Aug. 5, 2011, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety.

TECHNOLOGICAL FIELD

Described herein are bags and the like for carrying objects.

BACKGROUND

Bags and the like are often used to carry various objects in aconvenient manner. Some bags, such as cinch sacks, may utilize one ormore flexible members to close an opening to the bag and provide anobject for a user to engage to facilitate transportation of the bag.Examples of such bags may be found in the following references: U.S.Pat. No. 2,212,390; U.S. Pat. No. 2,635,664; U.S. Pat. No. 5,288,150;U.S. Pat. No. 5,957,354; U.S. Pat. No. 6,161,738; U.S. Pat. No.6,435,391; U.S. Pat. No. 7,624,777; U.S. Pat. No. 7,946,970; U.S. Pat.No. 7,959,356; U.S. Pat. No. D138,149; U.S. Pat. No. D615,756; U.S.Publication No. 2004/0179756; U.S. Publication No. 2006/0153477; U.S.Publication No. 2010/0284631; and OHIM Registration No. 001836974-002.

Typically, cinch bags provide a relatively lightweight and simplestructure that is convenient for carrying objects. However, these bagsoften include only a single compartment for carrying objects, or providea main compartment with additional compartments that are too small tocarry laptop computers, an electronic tablet, an e-book reader, or thelike. This may be undesirable when it is desired to carry an article,such as a laptop computer, an electronic tablet, an e-book reader, orthe like. The computer, electronic tablet, e-book reader, or the likemay readily be damaged by other objects a user may generally carry inthese bags. For example, the laptop computer, electronic tablet, ore-book reader may be scratched with sharp objects, such as keys, orexposed to spills from a water bottle.

Another potential issue with cinch bags that include only a singlecompartment, or that include a main compartment along with one or moreadditional compartments that are too small to contain a laptop computer,an electronic tablet, an e-book reader, or the like, is the laptopcomputer or other electronic object may be buried under other objectsthat are also placed into the single or main compartment. This may makeit difficult for the user to readily access the laptop computer or otherelectronic object without first undesirably removing, or moving around,at least some of the objects that are contained within the samecompartment as the computer or other electronic object.

Accordingly, there is a need for a bag design that provides a relativelylightweight and simple structure, includes a compartment sufficientlylarge enough to receive a laptop or computer or electronic tablettherein, offers the protection desired for a computer or the like that auser may carry, and/or allows a user to carry the computer or the likealong with other objects in a more organized manner.

SUMMARY

One embodiment of a bag for carrying objects may include a main body, asecond body, and a drawstring type closure mechanism. The main body maydefine a main compartment and an opening to the main compartment wherethe opening can be selectively decreased and increased in size. Thesecond body may be joined to the main body. The second body and the mainbody may define a second compartment. The second body may be configuredto protect objects contained within the second compartment by reducing atransmission of impact forces on the second body to objects containedwithin the second compartment. The drawstring type closure mechanism maybe operatively associated with the main body in such a manner as toallow a user to selectively increase and decrease the size of theopening.

Another embodiment of a bag for carrying objects may include one or morematerials and a drawstring type closure mechanism. The one or morematerials may define a first compartment, a second compartment, and anopening to at least one of the first and second compartments where theopening can be selectively decreased and increased in size. At least oneof the one or more materials may be configured to protect objectscontained within the second compartment by reducing a transmission ofimpact forces on the at least one of the one or more materials toobjects contained within the second compartment. The drawstring typeclosure mechanism may be operatively associated with one or morematerials in such a manner as to allow a user to selectively increaseand decrease the size of the opening.

Yet another embodiment of a bag for carrying objects may include a mainbody, a second body, and a drawing type closure mechanism. The secondbody may be positioned within the main body. The second body and themain body may collectively define a first compartment and a secondcompartment. The main body may define an opening to the first and secondcompartments. The opening can be selectively decreased and increased insize. At least one of the first compartment or the second compartmentmay be sized to receive a laptop computer.

Yet another embodiment of a bag for carrying items may include a mainbody, a second body, and at least two flexible members. The main bodymay define a main compartment and an opening to the main compartmentwhere the opening can be selectively decreased and increased in size.The second body may be joined to the main body. The second body and themain body may collectively define a second compartment. The second bodymay include at least a relatively rigid material. The at least twoflexible members may be configured to function as backpack straps andmay be operatively associated with the main body to allow a user toselectively decrease the size of the opening utilizing the at least twoflexible members.

Still yet another embodiment of a bag for carrying items may include amain body, a second body, and at least two flexible members. The secondbody may be positioned within the main body. The second body and themain body may collectively define a first compartment and a secondcompartment. The main body may define an opening to the first and secondcompartments. The opening can be selectively decreased and increased insize. At least one of the first compartment or the second compartmentmay be sized to receive a laptop computer, an electronic tablet, ane-book reader, or the like. The at least two flexible members may beconfigured to function as backpack straps and may be operativelyassociated with the main body to allow a user to selectively decreasethe size of the opening utilizing the at least two flexible members.

In some embodiments of the bags, the drawstring type closure mechanismmay be configured to function as one or more backpack straps.

In some embodiments of the bags, the second body or other materialsforming the bag may include a protective material. The protectivematerial may be selected from at least one of a shock absorbing,relatively rigid, shape retaining, or rigid material, which may include,but not be limited to, plastics, foams, resins, rubbers, or arubber-like materials. In some embodiments of the bags, the protectivematerial may be substantially co-extensive with a length, width, anddepth of the second body.

In some embodiments of the bags, a shape retaining material, which maybe a hard or rigid plastic, foam, or resin, may be formed into apredefined shape, and the shape retaining material may resist changes tothe predefined shape caused by impact or other external forces. Thepre-defined shape may protrude from an outer-facing surface of the mainbody, or an outer-facing surface of the one or more materials, in adirection away from the main or first compartment. The pre-defined shapemay take the form of a shell or a tray-like structure. The pre-definedshape may include a relatively planar or flat base portion that iscurved along its perimeter edge to define sidewalls along the perimeteredge that extend at an angle relative to the planar or flat baseportion.

In some embodiments of the bags, at least a portion of the main bodythat defines the second compartment may include a protective material.In further embodiments, the protective material for the main body mayprovide at least some impact force protection to objects containedwithin the second compartment.

In some embodiments of the bags, the main body and the second body mayinclude protective materials that encompass the second compartment. Insome embodiments of the bags, the at least one of the one or morematerials defining the second compartment may take the form of one ormore protective materials that encompass the second compartment.

In some embodiments of the bags, the drawstring type closure mechanismmay include at least one flexible member configured to function as atleast one backpack strap. The at least one flexible member may be a ropeor a strap. In some embodiments of the bags, the drawstring type closuremechanism may include at least two flexible members configured tofunction as backpack straps and operatively associated with the mainbody to allow a user to selectively decrease the size of the openingutilizing the at least two flexible members. In such embodiments, the atleast two flexible members may be either a rope or a strap.

In some embodiments of the bags, the opening to the main or firstcompartment may also provide access to the second compartment.

In some embodiments of the bags, a securing mechanism may be operativelyassociated with the main body and the second body, or with the one ormore materials, to selectively open and close an opening between themain body and the second body, or an opening to the second compartmentdefined by the one or more materials. The securing mechanism may includea zipper or a strap. The securing mechanism may be operativelyassociated with the main or first body and the second body, or the oneor more materials, to selectively maintain a laptop computer, anelectronic tablet, an e-book reader, or the like within either the main,or first, compartment or the second compartment.

In some embodiments of the bags, at least one of the main, or first, andsecond compartments may be sufficiently large to contain a laptopcomputer, an electronic tablet, an e-book reader, or the like.

In some embodiments of the bags, the second body, or the at least one ofthe one or more materials, may include a relatively rigid material. Insome such embodiments, the second body, or at least one of the one ormore materials, may include a fabric. The fabric may cover at least aportion of the relatively rigid material. The relatively rigid materialmay be formed from a plastic, foam, or resin. In some embodiments of thebags, the relatively rigid material may define a tray-like structure.

In some embodiments of the bags, the drawstring type closure mechanism,or one of the at least two flexible members, may be secured to aconnection member. The connection member may extend from the main bodyor the one or more materials. The connection member may define a hole,and the hole may receive at least a portion of the drawstring typeclosure mechanism, or the associated flexible member, therethrough.

In some embodiments of the bags, the main body, or the one or morematerials, may define a first channel and a second channel. Thedrawstring type closure mechanism, or the at least two flexible members,may include portions that may be positioned within the first and secondchannels. In further embodiments, the at least two flexible members mayeach include portions that are positioned within the first and secondchannels.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a front elevation view of a bag.

FIG. 2 shows a rear elevation view of the bag shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 shows another rear elevation view of the bag shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 shows a top view of the bag shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 shows another top view of the bag shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 shows a front view of a second embodiment of a bag.

FIG. 7 shows a front view of a third embodiment of a bag.

FIG. 8 shows a front view of a fourth embodiment of a bag.

FIG. 9 shows a front view of a fifth embodiment of a bag.

FIG. 10 shows a top view of the fifth embodiment of the bag.

FIG. 11 shows a schematic front elevation view of a bag that is similarto the bags shown in FIGS. 1-8.

FIG. 12 shows a schematic side elevation view of the bag shown in FIG.11.

FIG. 13 shows a schematic perspective view of a bag that is similar tothe bag shown in FIG. 7.

FIG. 14 shows a schematic perspective view of a bag that is similar tothe bags shown in FIGS. 1-6 and 8.

FIG. 15 shows a front elevation view of a bag that is similar to thebags shown in FIGS. 1-8.

FIG. 16 shows a rear elevation view of the bag shown in FIG. 15.

FIG. 17 shows a side elevation view of the bag shown in FIG. 15.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Described herein is a bag for carrying objects. The bag may include twoor more compartments. Access to at least one of the compartments may beselectively closed using a drawstring type closure mechanism or thelike. The drawstring type closure mechanism may take of the form of oneor more flexible members, such as a rope or a strap. In someembodiments, access to another of the compartments may be selectivelyallowed and prevented using a securing mechanism, such as a zipper orthe like. At least one of the compartments may be sized to contain alaptop computer, an electronic tablet, an e-book reader, or the like.Such a compartment may be defined at least in part using a protectivematerial, such as a rigid, relatively rigid, shape retaining, and/or ashock absorbing material. The drawstring type closure mechanism may beconfigured to allow a user to utilize it to carry the bag. For example,in some embodiments, the drawstring type closure mechanism may includeone or more flexible members with at least some of the flexible membersconfigured to function like backpack straps to allow the user to carrythe bag on the user's back in a manner similar to a user carrying abackpack on the user's back.

FIG. 1 shows a front elevation view of a bag 100, and FIG. 2 shows arear elevation view of the bag 100. FIGS. 3-5 show other views of thebag 100. FIGS. 6-8 and 11-17 show views of other embodiments of the bag100. With reference to FIGS. 1-8 and 11-17, the bag 100 may include amain body 125, a second body 130, and a drawstring type closuremechanism 112 that may take the form of one or more flexible members115, 120. The main body 125 may define a main compartment 105, which maybe sufficiently large to contain a laptop computer, an electronictablet, or an e-book reader, and an opening 135 to the main compartment105. The opening 135 may be selectively closed using the flexiblemembers 115, 120 or another type of drawstring closure mechanism. Themain body 125 and the second body 130 may collectively define a secondcompartment 110. The second compartment 110 may be selectively accessedvia a securing mechanism, such as a zipper 140 or the like.

The main body 125 may define the opening 135 proximate an upper portion145 of the main body 125. The main body 125 may further define first andsecond channels 150, 155 proximate the opening 135 to the maincompartment 105. The first channel 150 may extend along the width of thebag 100 at the front side 160 of the bag 100, and the second channel 155may extend along the width of the bag 100 at the rear side 165 of thebag 100. Each channel 150, 155 may be sized to receive portions of theflexible members 115, 120 therein. The channels 150, 155 may beselectively moved towards each other using the flexible members 115, 120to substantially close the opening 135 to the main compartment 105. Thechannels 150, 155 may also be selectively moved away from one another toenlarge the opening 135 to the main compartment 105.

In some embodiments, the channels 150, 155 may be formed as an integralpiece to the main body 125 by folding a top portion of the material(s)forming the upper portion 145 of the main body 125. An end portion ofthe top portion of the material(s) forming the upper portion 145 of themain body 125 may be attached to the upper portion 145 of the main body125 by any suitable connection method (e.g., by sewing, adhering, ormechanical fastening, and so on) to form the first and second channels150, 155. In some embodiments, the channels 150, 155 may be formed usingone or more pieces of material separate from the material(s) forming theupper portion 145 of the main body 125. The separate pieces may beattached to the upper portion 145 of the main body 125 by any suitableconnection method (e.g., by sewing, adhering, or mechanical fastening,and so on).

The flexible members 115, 120 may be ropes, straps or the like, and maybe formed using any suitable material used for ropes or straps,including, but not limited to, nylon or the like. Each flexible member115, 120 may extend from a lower portion 170 to an upper portion 145 ofthe main body 125 and may include a first end portion 175, 190, a secondend portion 180, 195 that is distal the first end portion 175, 190, anda mid portion 185, 200 that is located between the first and second endportions 175, 180, 190, 195. Extending each flexible member 115, 120from an upper portion 145 to a lower portion 170 of the main body 125allows for each flexible member 115, 120 to function in a manner similarto a backpack strap. In particular, a user may place the user's armsbetween the flexible members 115, 120 and the main body 125 and positionthe flexible members 115, 120 on the user's shoulders to carry the bag100 on the user's back. If the user does not desire to transport the bag100 on the user's back, the flexible members 115, 120 also provide aconvenient object for the user to grasp when carrying the bag 100 byhand.

The mid portion 185, 200 of the each flexible member 115, 120 may bepositioned within the first and second channels 150, 155. Whenpositioned within the first and second channels 150, 155, the midportion 185, 200 of the each flexible member 115, 120 may take the formof a U-shaped structure. In particular, with reference to FIGS. 1 and 4,the first and second channels 150, 155 may each include a first end 205,215 that is located at first side 225 of the main body 125 and a secondend 210, 220 that is located at a second side 230 of the main body 125that is distal the first side 225 of the main body 125. The mid portion185 of the first flexible member 115 may enter the first channel 150 atthe first end 205 of the first channel 150, extend through the firstchannel 150 from the first end 205 to a second end 210 of the firstchannel 150, and exit the first channel 150 at the second end 210 of thefirst channel 150. After exiting the first channel 150, the mid portion185 of the first flexible member 115 may be bent into a U-like shape sothat it can enter the second channel 155 at the second end 220 of thesecond channel 155, extend through the second channel 155 from thesecond end 220 to the first end 215 of the second channel 155, and exitthe second channel 155 at the first end 215 of the second channel 155.In a similar manner, the mid portion 200 of the second flexible member120 may enter the first channel 150 at the second end 210 of the firstchannel 150, extend through the first channel 150 from the second end210 to the first end 205 of the first channel 150, and exit the firstchannel 150 at the first end 205 of the first channel 150. After exitingthe first channel 150, the mid portion 200 of the second flexible member120 may be bent into a U-like shape so that it can enter the secondchannel 155 at the first end 215 of the second channel 155, extendthrough the second channel 155 from the first end 215 to the second end220 of the second channel 155, and exit the second channel 155 at thesecond end 220 of the second channel 155.

The first and second flexible members 115, 120 or other drawstring typeclosure mechanism may be utilized to selectively close the opening 135defined by the main body 125. In particular, the first and secondflexible members 115, 120 may be pulled away from the main body 125. Asthe flexible members 115, 120 are pulled in this manner, the U-shapedsegments of the mid portions 185, 200 of the flexible members 115, 120engage the main body 125 proximate the ends 205, 210, 215, 220 of thefirst and second channels 150, 155 of the main body 125. Such engagementcauses the first and second channels 150, 155 to be moved closertogether, which results in a decrease in the size of the opening 135.The size of the opening 135 may be sufficiently decreased tosubstantially close the opening 135, as shown, for example, in FIG. 3.To enlarge the opening 135, a user may pull apart the first and secondchannels 150, 155. With reference to FIG. 4, increasing the size of theopening 135 allows for access to the main compartment 105 so thatobjects can be placed into and removed from the main compartment 105.

The first and second end portions 175, 180, 190, 195 of each flexiblemember 115, 120 may be secured to the main body 125 proximate the lowerportion 170 of the main body 125. The first and second end portions 175,180, 190, 195 of each flexible member 115, 120 may be secured to themain body 125 via respective connection members 235, 240 that extendfrom the main body 125. In particular, one connection member 235 mayextend from the first side 225 of the main body 125, and the otherconnection member 240 may extend from the second side 230 of the mainbody 125. Each connection member 235, 240 may be any desired shape(including but not limited to triangular shaped as shown in FIGS. 1 and2), may be joined to the main body 125 by any suitable connection method(e.g., by sewing, adhering, or mechanical fastening, and so on), and maydefine a connection member hole 245, 250. A reinforcement member 255,260, such as a grommet or the like, may encompass each connection memberhole 245, 250 to provide resistance to deformation of the connectionmember holes 245, 250 by the flexible members 115, 120. The first andsecond ends 175, 180, 190, 195 of the each flexible member 115, 120 maybe passed through the connection member hole 245, 250 of its respectiveconnection member 235, 240 and then be joined together by any suitableconnection method, including, but not limited to, joining the endstogether to form a knot 265, 270. When joined together as a knot 265,270, the knot 265, 270 formed may be larger than the respectiveconnection member hole 245, 250 to keep the portions of each flexiblemember 115, 120 passing through a respective connection member hole 245,250 from being removed from the respective connection member hole 245,250.

In some embodiments of the bag 100, other connection methods may be usedto secure the first and second end portions 175, 180, 190, 195 of eachflexible member 115, 120 to the main body 125. For example, in someembodiments, the first and second ends 175, 180, 190, 195 of theflexible members 115, 120 may be directly connected to the main body 125via a suitable connection method, such as sewing, adhering, welding, andso on. As another example, in yet other embodiments, the main body 125may define connection holes and the first and second ends 175, 180, 190,195 of the flexible members 115, 120 may be associated with theseconnection holes in a manner similar to the one described above withrespect to the connection member holes 245, 250 for the connectionmembers 235, 240.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 5, the second body 130 may be joined tothe main body 125 by any suitable connection method, including, but notlimited to, by stitching, adhering, mechanically fastening and so on.The main body 125 and the second body 130 may collectively define thesecond compartment 110. The second compartment 110 may be sized to besufficiently large to receive a laptop computer, an electronic tablet,an e-book reader, or the like therein. The securing mechanism may bepositioned around at least a portion or the entirety of a perimeter ofthe second compartment 110 between the main and second bodies 125, 130.The securing mechanism may be used to selectively create an opening 275between the main and second bodies 125, 130 and to selectively closethis opening 275. The opening 275 may be used to access the secondcompartment 110.

The securing mechanism may take the form of a zipper 140 or the like.The zipper 140 may include a zipper track 295 that extends along aportion or the entirety of the perimeter of the second compartment 110.The zipper track 295 may include two sets of teeth 300, 305 that may beselectively interlocked. One or more zipper sliders 310, 315 may bemovable along the zipper track 295 to selectively interlock anddisengage the teeth 300, 305. Specifically, when a zipper slider 310,315 is moved in a first direction along the zipper track 295, the teeth300, 305 passing through the zipper slider 310, 315 are interlocked, andwhen the zipper slider 310, 315 is moved in a second direction along thezipper track 295 that is opposite the first direction, the teeth 300,305 passing through the zipper slider 310, 315 are disengaged from eachother. Further, when the teeth 300, 305 are interlocked along asubstantial portion of the zipper track 295, access to the secondcompartment 110 is prevented. When the teeth 300, 305 are disengagedalong a sufficient portion of the zipper track 295, an opening 275between the main and second bodies 125, 130 is formed that permitsaccess to the second compartment 110. While the securing mechanism isshown and described as being a zipper 140, other structures may be usedto selectively create and close an opening 275 between the main andsecond bodies 125, 130. For example, in some embodiments, the securingmechanism may take the form of a hook and loop fastener system or a snapfastener system.

The second body 130 may be configured to be of a similar size to themain body 125. In such embodiments, the second body 130 may include botha length and a width that are similar to, or slightly less than, alength and a width, respectively, of the main body 125. In otherembodiments, the second body 130 may be significantly smaller than themain body 125. In these embodiments, one of the length or the width, orboth, may be significantly less than the length and the width,respectively, of the main body 125.

In some embodiments, the second body 130 may be joined to the main body125 along a portion of a perimeter of the second body 130 through ahinge such that the second body 130 may pivot with respect to the mainbody 125 along the hinge. In some embodiments, the hinge may be providedalong a side portion of the perimeter of the second body 130. In someembodiments, the hinge may be preferably provided along a bottom portionof the perimeter of the second body 130 to prevent the computer or thelike included therein from accidental falling.

One or more gussets may be provided that join a portion of the perimeterof the second body 130 to the main body 125. In some embodiments, twowedge-shaped gussets may be provided joining each side perimeter of thesecond body 130 to the main body 125 with the wedges pointing towards abottom perimeter of the second body 130 that may be joined to the mainbody 125 through a hinge as described above. Using gussets to joinportions of side perimeters of the second body 130 to the main body 125may allow a wider access to the second compartment 110 from the topwhile preventing articles contained therein from falling from the sides.The gussets may extend along a portion or the entirety of the sides ofthe second compartment 110. The gussets may be formed using elastic ornon-elastic materials. The gussets may be formed using material the sameas, or different from, those forming the main body 125 and the secondbody 130. Although a wedge shape is described herein, the gussets maytake any suitable shape including, but not limited to, square,rectangular, trapezoid, and so on. The gussets may be formed with orwithout pleats.

The main body 125 and the second body 130 may be formed using one ormore pieces of fabric (e.g., nylon or polyester fabric), natural orsynthetic rubber (e.g., neoprene), plastic or other polymers (e.g., ABSor polycarbonate), foam (e.g., EVA foam), or other materials typicallyused for luggage or the like. The materials used for the main body 125and second bodies 130 may be similar or different. In some embodiments,the main body 125 and/or the second body 130 may be formed substantiallyfrom flexible or relatively flexible materials.

In some embodiments, the materials forming the main body 125 and thesecond body 130 may be water-proof or water-repellant or treated with awater-proof or water-repellant coating. In some embodiments, at least aportion of the main body 125, such as at least a portion of the mainbody 125 that defines the second compartment 110, may be formed using afoamed neoprene or other material that provides at least some impactforce protection, such as shock absorption, to objects stored in themain or second compartments 105, 110.

The first and second channels 150, 155 defined by the main body 125 maybe formed using the same piece(s) of material(s) forming the main body125 or one or more different pieces of material(s). The material(s)forming the first and second channels 150, 155 may be the same as ordifferent from the type of materials forming the main body 125.

In at least some embodiments, the second body 130 may be configured toprotect objects contained within the second compartment 110 by reducinga transmission of impact forces on the second body 130 to objectscontained within the second compartment 110. In such embodiments, thesecond body 130 may be configured to reduce the transmission of impactforces by using shock absorbing, relatively rigid, rigid, shaperetaining, and/or other protective materials, such as plastic (e.g.,acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polycarbonate, ABS/polycarbonate,and so on), foam (e.g., an ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) foam), resin,rubber and rubber-like materials, to form at least some portions of thesecond body 130. In some of these embodiments, the materials utilized toprotect the object contained within the second compartment 110 may besubstantially co-extensive with a length, width, and depth of the secondbody 130 so that these protective materials collectively reduce impactforces transmitted to objects in the secondary compartment regardless ofwhich outer facing surface of the second body 130 is impacted by aforce. In yet further embodiments, the main body 125 and the second body130 may include impact or other protective materials that encompass orsurround the second compartment 110.

The second body 130 may be configured to reduce the transmission ofimpact forces by forming at least some of the materials of the secondbody 130 into a shape that transmits the forces away from the secondcompartment 110. In some embodiments, the second body 130 may beconfigured to reduce the transmission of impact forces to objectscontained with the second compartment 110 by forming at least someportions of the second body 130 into a pre-defined shape using a shaperetaining material, such as a hard or rigid plastic, foam, resin, orcombination thereof, that resists changes or deformations caused byimpact or other external forces to the predefined shape. In suchembodiments, the pre-defined shape may be a shell or tray-likestructure. The pre-defined shape may protrude from an outer-facingsurface of the main body 125 in a direction away from the maincompartment 105.

With reference to FIGS. 6 and 14, in some embodiments, the second body130 may be formed using plastic (e.g., acrylonitrile butadiene styrene(ABS), polycarbonate, ABS/polycarbonate, and so on), foam (e.g., anethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) foam), or resin. With reference to FIGS. 7and 13, in other embodiments, the second body 130 may be formed usingfabrics, such as nylon or polyester fabrics, and rubber or rubber likematerials, such as neoprene or the like. With reference to FIGS. 1 and8, in yet other embodiments the second body 130 may be formed using acombination of a plastics, foams, resins, fabrics, rubbers, orrubber-like materials.

For embodiments of the second body 130 that utilize a relatively rigid,rigid, shape retaining, and/or shock absorbing material, such as theembodiments shown in FIGS. 1, 6, 8 and 14, the relatively rigid, rigid,shape retaining, and/or shock absorbing material may be formed into apre-defined shape, such as a shell or a tray-like structure. Inparticular, the pre-defined shape may include a relatively planar orflat base portion 335 that is curved along its perimeter edge to definesidewalls 340, 345, 350, 355 along the perimeter edge that extend at anangle relative the planar or flat base portion 335. In some embodiments,the sidewalls 340, 345, 350, 355 may extend substantially transverselyaway from the planar or flat base portion 335. The relatively rigid,rigid, shape retaining, and/or shock absorbing material may be used toprovide a degree of protection to an object placed within the secondcompartment 110.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 8, in some embodiments that utilize arelatively rigid, rigid, shape retaining, and/or shock absorbingmaterial, the second body 130 may further include one or more pieces offabric, rubber, and/or foam 330 that cover at least a portion, up to theentire portion, of the relatively rigid and/or shock absorbing material.The pieces of fabric, rubber and/or foam 330 may be joined to therelatively rigid, rigid, and/or shock absorbing material by any suitableconnection method, including by sewing, adhering or mechanicallyfastening the fabric, rubber and/or foam to the relatively rigid, rigid,and/or shock absorbing material.

With reference to FIGS. 6 and 8, in some embodiments that utilize arelatively rigid, rigid, shape retaining, and/or shock absorbingmaterial, the material may be formed to define a pattern or the like.The pattern may be used to enhance the structural strength of thematerial, to increase the shock absorbing capabilities of the material,and/or to enhance the aesthetic appearance of the bag 100. The patternmay be any desired pattern, including, but not limited to, multipleprotruding parallel lines 360 as shown in FIG. 6 and multiple protrudingcircles 365 as shown in FIG. 8.

FIG. 9 shows a front elevation view of another embodiment of a bag 100′,and FIG. 10 shows a top view of this bag 100′. The bag 100′ shown inFIGS. 9 and 10 is similar to the bags 100 shown in FIGS. 1-8 with one ofthe differences being that the second body 130′ is positioned within themain body 125′ such that the main body 125′ and the second body 130′define two compartments 105′, 110′ that are both accessed via theopening 135′ defined by the main body 125′. One of these twocompartments 110′ may be sized for receiving a laptop computer, anelectronic tablet, an e-book reader, or the like. The bag 100′ mayfurther include a securing member 370, such as a strap, that may be usedin conjunction with the compartment 110′ sized for the electronic deviceto maintain the device within this compartment 110′. In particular, thesecuring member 370 may be fixedly joined to either the main or firstbody 125′ or the second body 130′ and may be releasably secured to theother body 125′, 130′ proximate an upper portion of the compartment110′. When an object is placed within this compartment 110′, the strap370 may be placed over the object and joined to the body 125′, 130′ in areleasable manner to prevent the object from being readily removed fromthe compartment 110′. The strap 370 may be releasably joined to one ofthe bodies 125′, 130′ using a hook and loop or a snap fastening system.

There are many potential advantages when the bag 100 includes both themain compartment 105, 105′ and the second compartment 110, 110′. Forexample, the second compartment 110, 110′ allows a user to carrydifferent objects using the bag 100, 100′ in a more organized manner.More particularly, when a user desires to carry a laptop computer,electronic tablet, an e-book reader, or the like along with otherpersonal objects, such as keys, wallets, phones, water bottles or thelike, the user may use the second compartment 110, 110′ to store thelaptop computer, electronic tablet, or the like and use the firstcompartment 105, 105′ to store the other objects. This also allows foreasy access to the laptop computer, electronic tablets, or the like.

As another example of an advantage of a bag 100 that includes the maincompartment 105, 105′ and the second compartment 110, 110′, the secondcompartment 110, 110′ may offer added protection to the laptop computer,electronic tablet, or the other objects that are more prone to damage.More particularly, the second compartment 110, 110′ may keep the laptopcomputer, electronic tablets, or the like from being damages by otherobjects that a user may store in the first compartment 105, 105′. Suchdamage may include scratches by sharp objects like keys, or liquiddamage by spills from a water bottle or the like.

The second compartment 110, 110′ may also protect the laptop computer,electronic tablets, or the like from potential damage caused by impactforces. In particular, the bodies 125, 125′, 130, 130′ used to form thesecond compartment 110, 110′ may including foam, padding, a hard orrigid shell, or combinations thereof to prevent or reduce damage to thelaptop computer or the like that might be caused by accidental droppingof the bag when a laptop computer is carried therein. Such foam,padding, hard or rigid shells, or combination thereof may also protectthe laptop computer or the like from thermal shock. The bodies 125,125′, 130, 130′ defining the second compartment 110, 110′ may also beformed of materials, or treated with coatings, that are water-proof orwater-repellant to provide additional protection.

As described above, the main or first compartment 105, 105′, the secondcompartment 110, 110′, or both compartments may be sized to besufficiently large to receive a laptop computer, an electronic tablet,or an e-book reader. Laptop computers contemplated for receipt within atleast one of the compartments may include, but are not limited to,netbooks, ultraportable laptops, thin and light laptops, desktopreplacement laptops, and luggable laptops. Generally, these laptopcomputers may include widths that are no less than approximately 13centimeters (“cm”), depths that are no less than approximately 17 cm,and heights or thicknesses that are no less than approximately 2 cmwhere width generally refers to the size of the laptop frame from theleft side of the keyboard to the right side, depth generally refers tothe size of the laptop computer from the front of the laptop to the backpanel hinge, and height or thickness generally refers to the size fromthe bottom of the laptop computer to the back of the display when thelaptop computer is closed. Electronic tablets contemplated for receiptwithin at least one of the compartments may include electronic tabletswith screen sizes (diagonally measured) that are generally at least 12cm, with the electronic tablets often having screens sizes that aregreater than approximately 22 cm. The dimensions for an exemplaryelectronic tablet are approximately 24 cm for its height, 18.5 cm forits width, and 1 cm for its depth. However, receipt within the at leastone compartment of other electronic tablets with height, width, anddepth dimensions that are greater or less than the dimensions of theexemplary electronic tablet are contemplated. E-book readerscontemplated for receipt within at least one of the compartments aregenerally the same size as the electronic tablets contemplated forreceipt within at least one of the compartments.

Generally, the size of the compartment for receiving the laptopcomputer, the electronic tablet, the e-book reader, or the like will beat least slightly larger (e.g., at least approximately 2 cm, or 5% ofthe dimension, for at least some of the dimensions) than the size of theelectronic device contemplated for receipt therein. Further, the actualsize of the compartment sized to receipt the laptop computer, theelectronic tablet, the e-book reader, or the like may vary from bag tobag based on the typical size for the type of laptop computer,electronic tablet, e-book reader, or the like that the compartment isdesigned to contain.

A variety of embodiments and variations of structures and methods aredisclosed herein. Where appropriate, common reference numbers and wordswere used for common structural and method features. However, uniquereference numbers and words were sometimes used for similar or the samestructural or method elements for descriptive purposes. As such, the useof common or different reference numbers or words for similar or thesame structural or method elements is not intended to imply a similarityor difference beyond that described herein.

References to “top,” “bottom,” “side,” “front,” “back”, “lower,” and“upper,” as well as any other relative positional or directionaldescriptor are given by way of example to aid the reader's understandingof the particular embodiment(s) described. They should not be read to berequirements or limitations, particularly as to the position,orientation, or use of the invention unless specifically set forth inthe claims. Connection references (e.g. attached, coupled, connected,joined, and the like) are to be construed broadly and may includeintermediate members between a connection of elements and relativemovement between elements. As such, connection references do notnecessarily infer that two elements are directly connected and in fixedrelation to each other, unless specifically set forth in the claims. Insome instances, components are described with reference to “ends” havinga particular characteristic or being connected with another part. Thoseskilled in the art will recognize that the disclosed embodiments are notlimited to components which terminate immediately beyond their points ofconnection with other parts.

The bags have been described with reference to particular embodimentsthereof. Therefore, the above description is by way of illustration andnot by way of limitation. Accordingly, it is intended that allalterations, variations, and modifications of the embodiments are withinthe scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims. Inmethodologies directly or indirectly set forth herein, various steps andoperations are described in one possible order of operation, but thoseskilled in the art will recognize that steps and operations may berearranged, replaced, or eliminated without necessarily departing fromthe scope of the disclosed embodiments.

1. A bag for carrying objects, comprising: a main body that defines amain compartment and an opening to the main compartment where theopening can be selectively decreased and increased in size; a secondbody joined to the main body, the second body and the main body defininga second compartment, and the second body having a length and a widththat are substantially similar to a length and a width of the main body;the second body comprising a protective material configured to protectobjects contained within the second compartment by reducing atransmission of impact forces on the second body to objects containedwithin the second compartment, and the protective material comprises ashape retaining material formed into a tray-like structure that includesa relatively planar or flat base portion that is curved along itsperimeter edge to define sidewalls along the perimeter edge that extendat an angle relative to the planar or flat base portion, and thesidewalls have a height that is significantly less than either a widthor a length of the base portion, and the shape retaining materialresists changes to the tray-like structure caused by impact or otherexternal forces; and a drawstring type closure mechanism operativelyassociated with the main body in such a manner as to allow a user toselectively increase and decrease the size of the opening.
 2. (canceled)3. (canceled)
 4. (canceled)
 5. (canceled)
 6. The bag for carryingobjects according to claim 1, wherein the tray-like structure protrudesfrom an outer-facing surface of the main body in a direction away fromthe main compartment.
 7. (canceled)
 8. (canceled)
 9. The bag forcarrying objects according to claim 1, wherein the shape retainingmaterial comprises at least one of a hard or rigid plastic, foam, orresin.
 10. The bag for carrying objects according to claim 1, whereinthe protective material is substantially co-extensive with the length,the width, and a depth of the second body.
 11. The bag for carryingobjects according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the mainbody that defines the second compartment comprises a protective materialthat provides at least some impact force protection to objects containedwithin the second compartment, and the protective materials of the mainbody and the second body encompass the second compartment. 12.(canceled)
 13. (canceled)
 14. (canceled)
 15. (canceled)
 16. (canceled)17. The bag for carrying objects according to claim 1, wherein thedrawstring type closure mechanism comprises at least two flexiblemembers configured to function as backpack straps and operativelyassociated with the main body to allow a user to selectively decreasethe size of the opening utilizing the at least two flexible members. 18.The bag for carrying objects according to claim 17, wherein at least oneof the at least two flexible members is secured to a connection memberthat extends from the main body, the connection member defines a holethat receives the associated flexible member therethrough, the main bodydefines a first channel and a second channel, and the at least twoflexible members each include portions that are positioned within thefirst and second channels.
 19. (canceled)
 20. (canceled)
 21. (canceled)22. The bag for carrying objects according to claim 1, furthercomprising a fabric that covers at least a portion of the protectivematerial.
 23. (canceled)
 24. (canceled)
 25. The bag for carrying objectsaccording to claim 1, further comprising a securing mechanismoperatively associated with the main body and the second body toselectively open and close an opening between the main and secondbodies.
 26. The bag for carrying objects according to claim 25, whereinthe securing mechanism comprises a zipper or a strap.
 27. The bag forcarrying objects according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the mainand second compartments is sufficiently large to contain a laptopcomputer.
 28. A bag for carrying objects, comprising: one or morematerials defining a first compartment, a second compartment, and anopening to at least one of the first and second compartments where theopening can be selectively decreased and increased in size, and thesecond compartment having a length and a width that are substantiallysimilar to a length and a width of the first compartment; at least oneof the one or more materials comprising a protective material configuredto protect objects contained within the second compartment by reducing atransmission of impact forces on the at least one of the one or morematerials to objects contained within the second compartment, and theprotective material comprises a shape retaining material formed into atray-like structure that includes a relatively planar or flat baseportion that is curved along its perimeter edge to define sidewallsalong the perimeter edge that extend at an angle relative to the planaror flat base portion, and the sidewalls have a height that issignificantly less than either a width or a length of the base portion,and the shape retaining material resists changes to the tray-likestructure caused by impact or other external forces; and a drawstringtype closure mechanism operatively associated with one or more materialsin such a manner as to allow a user to selectively increase and decreasethe size of the opening.
 29. (canceled)
 30. (canceled)
 31. (canceled)32. (canceled)
 33. The bag for carrying objects according to claim 28,wherein the tray-like structure protrudes from an outer-facing surfaceof the one or more materials in a direction away from the firstcompartment.
 34. (canceled)
 35. (canceled)
 36. The bag for carryingobjects according to claim 28, wherein the shape retaining materialcomprises at least one of a hard or rigid plastic, foam, or resin. 37.The bag for carrying objects according to claim 28, wherein theprotective material encompasses the second compartment.
 38. The bag forcarrying objects according to claim 28, wherein the drawstring typeclosure mechanism comprises at least one rope or strap configured tofunction as at least one backpack strap.
 39. (canceled)
 40. (canceled)41. (canceled)
 42. The bag for carrying objects according to claim 28,further comprising a fabric that covers at least a portion of theprotective material.
 43. (canceled)
 44. (canceled)
 45. The bag forcarrying objects according to claim 28, further comprising a securingmechanism operatively associated with the one or more materials toselectively open and close an opening to the second compartment.
 46. Thebag for carrying objects according to claim 45, wherein the securingmechanism comprises a zipper or a strap.
 47. The bag for carryingobjects according to claim 28, wherein at least one of the first andsecond compartments is sufficiently large to contain a laptop computer.